A trip to South Dade’s Goulds region, where you’ll find Cauley Square Historic Railroad Village, is like taking a time machine back to Old Florida.
Within an hour’s drive of Miami’s downtown, you’ll find the historic village of Cauley Square which was established on 10 acres of land around the turn of the 20th century.
Tourists can wander the tropical gardens and winding paths to find anything from antique stores to wellness centers to fine dining and even an aviary.
Cauley Square Historic Village all started with some farmland and Henry Flagler’s railroad and sidings like the one Gould’s ran for the Florida East Coast Railway were a godsend for the pioneer farmers who had landed south of Miami.
After being known as Gould’s Siding from 1903, the name was shortened to to “Goulds” in the following year but whatever you choose to call it, the railroad was a far more convenient way for farmers like William Cauley to send their goods to markets outside of Redland and having a siding near to your property made this even more so.
Since Cauley possessed ten acres next to the train lines, he constructed the main building at Cauley Square, a two-story warehouse and office designed in the flat iron style with a hint of Spanish architecture to accommodate the growing business’s logistical needs.
His workforce, together with those who were still constructing the railroad, necessitated places to live, dine, and unwind, and thus the first packing houses appeared. Soon, wooden homes, a saloon, and other buildings crowded into Cauley Square, creating a town with a notoriously boisterous reputation.
Between the 1919 tornado and the big Miami Hurricane of 1926, there were reports of drinking, fighting, and even a bordello.
After recovering from natural disasters, agricultural communities were finally forced to give up their livelihoods due to the Great Depression, World War II, and rapid population growth. Cauley Square went into a continuous decline, culminating with Miami-Dade County condemning the aged assemblage of buildings and planning for removal.
Mary Anne Ballard
Marrying a Redlander and relocating from Florida in 1949, Mary Anne Ballard opened an interior design firm and developed a passion for the arts and culture in Redland. The two-story building that once stood in the middle of Cauley Square had been the focus of her conservation efforts.
The Ballards bought it together with the surrounding acreage and other residences, and at age 65, Ballard’s retirement plans shifted to include rebuilding the historic Cauley Square. Her ultimate objective was to open a school for the arts, a centre for adult education, and a youth centre.
The way to achieve this is to design an area with quaint stores and a nice spot to eat that is also ideal for leisurely wandering.
The plan’s first step was to acquire additional modest, hand-built pioneer houses from the neighbouring Redland and meticulously convert them into separate enterprises. The success of the 1979 Tea Room Restaurant, which was decorated with fine china, crystal and lace, was a realisation of at least a portion of Ballard’s ideal.
Despite the progress being made, Hurricane Andrew still caused over a million dollars in damage to Cauley Square. Ballard persevered in his search for funds, and in 1994, Cauley Square was not only reopened, but also designated as a historical site. However, it was difficult to upkeep, and after Ballard’s death in 1998, money issues loomed large.
Frances Varela bought Cauley Square in 2001 and spent the next decade enhancing the area with the beautiful gardens, fountains, and walkways that can be seen today. She also revitalized 25 structures, several of which are now commercial establishments and remarked, “I wanted to contribute back to my community to defend this little island.”
The plan took ten years to complete but the gorgeous re-landscaped gardens, fountains and wheelchair-accessible walkways are all part of it so it was well worth the wait.
CAULEY SQUARE SHOPS
The Aviary
Visit The Aviary in Cauley Square as your first stop. The hamlet revolves around this two-story structure, which houses a variety of exotic birds such as cockatoos, macaws, parakeets, lovebirds, and more. A replica of a bright red train car can be found nearby as a tribute to Flagler’s railroad, which previously travelled through the town.
Style, Art And Decoration
Visit Karol’s Antiques, which sells both new and antique fine china and linens, or Jimmy’s Bright Ideas, which sells unique and eclectic décor made from vintage findings. The Children’s Gallery is a great place to view modern portraits.
Here, you can attend art classes or place orders for custom artwork. Dora Gabay Studio is yet another fantastic art gallery that is worth checking out.
Alternative Medicine, Spirituality And Healing
Workshops and monthly drum circles are held in Esmeralda’s Earth, Wind & Fire Boutique, the spiritual hub of Miami. In the relaxing atmosphere of Her Salty Aire Retreat, you can take in the healing vapours of salt air. Reiki sessions, yoga and meditation courses, and other programmes are all available at Tree of Life Holistics.
When you go, you may also stop in at some of the local beauty parlours, the photography studio, and the assortment of quaint stores.
Tea Room
The Tea Room at Cauley Square is a popular spot for high tea due to its charming Victorian decor. The Tea Room pays respect to English custom with its six individually decorated spaces. The tea service is the main attraction, but they also serve soups, salads, and hearty main dishes.
You can order an Afternoon Tea, Royal Tea, or High Tea, all of which come with a pot of tea and a three-tiered plate laden with treats including mini quiches, scones, cookies, banana cakes, and finger sandwiches.
Village Chalet
The Village Chalet is a cosy cottage where you may enjoy a meal in the afternoon or early evening. Unwind in the dining room decked out in white tablecloths and a 1920s-style bar, or on the covered wraparound terrace hidden into the garden. Pasta, steak, and Latin-inspired dishes populate the menu, which also has live music on the weekends.
Latin Corner
When you’re hungry while you’re visiting Cauley Square, stop by the Latin Corner gazebo for some Cuban coffee, empanadas, sandwiches, hot dogs, and milkshakes. The garden provides one of the most picturesque settings in town.
Special Occasions And Events
Come for a dance performance or outdoor art class to coincide with your trip to Cauley Square and historic reenactor Cesar Becerra, who dresses the part of a railroad conductor for his Florida Living History Tours, leads the excursions on select Saturdays.
He gives a lively walking tour of Cauley Square, relating interesting tales about the area’s long distant past.
The Cauley Square Chapel located there also allows couples to choose Cauley Square as the site of their nuptials and personalise it to their wishes.